Dodgers Minor League Ranking Recap

This post serves as a recap of my ranking of the Dodgers minor league system. At the bottom of this post you will find where each player was ranked, how they were acquired, their date of birth, current age, height, weight, and handedness. In addition, I have included a listing of the players who were signed or acquired by the Dodgers after I set my ranking and meet my qualifications as a "prospect" (i.e. under 28 years old, still considered a rookie, etc). For each of these players I have also included a brief recap, and estimate approximately where they would rank in the system.

Wilkin De La Rosa, LHP, 26 years old, 6’0”, 185 lbs – Signed by the Yankees in 2001 out of the Dominican Republic, Wilkin De La Rosa was an outfielder for 5 seasons before moving to the mound in 2007. He was added to the Yankees’ 40 man roster after the 2008 season, and was ranked by Baseball America as the Yankees’ 19^th best prospect heading in to the 2009 season. He had a 5.33 ERA in 2010, however, and was DFA last September. Back in 2009 he was hitting 94 mph, and he has an average slider and changeup. He has a career 3.27 ERA and 9.2 K/9. He probably would have ranked in the 40 – 50 range.

Michael Antonini, LHP, 25.75 years old, 6’2”, 185 lbs – Originally selected by the Mets in the 18^th round of the 2007 draft, Michael Antonini’s professional career got off to a great start and ranked as the Mets’ 15^th best prospect heading into the 2009 season. Since then, however, his career has stalled in the upper minor leagues. He spent most of 2010 in AA and for the season had a 4.49 ERA and 7.0 K/9. Described as a crafty lefty, he doesn’t throw real hard but has a plus changeup. He probably would have ranked in the 50 – 60 range.

Stuart Pomeranz, RHP, 26.25 years old, 6’7”, 220 lbs – Stuart Pomeranz is the older brother of Drew Pomeranz, who was the 5^th overall pick of the Indians in the 2010 draft. Stuart was also a high pick back in the day, going in the 2^nd round to the Cardinals back in 2003. He was ranked as the Cardinals #5 prospect heading into the 2005 season and reached AA as a 20 year old, but since then things have gone downhill for the big right-hander. He had shoulder surgery in 2007 and missed most of 2007, and then was released in 2008. He played independent ball in 2009, and was with the Rockies AA team in 2010. Before his injury he was throwing in the low 90’s with a knuckle-curve and changeup. He probably would have ranked in the 70 – 80 range.

Scott Nestor, RHP, 26.5 years old, 6’4”, 225 lbs – Scott Nestor was born in La Canada, and was selected by the Marlins in the 14^th round of the 2003 draft. He’s had an up and down career, and the Dodgers are his fifth organization. I couldn’t really find any good scouting reports on him, but he has a solid pitching frame, has a career K/9 of 9.6, and ranked as the Marlins’ 25^th best prospect heading into the 2008 season. He probably would have ranked in the 80 – 90 range.

Alexis Pacheco, RHP, 23.25 years old, 6’0”, 194 lbs – There isn’t much information on Alexis Pacheco. All I see is that he pitched in the Venezuelan Summer League in 2007 and 2009 for the Pirates, and has a did very well with a 2.19 ERA in 37 career innings. I have no idea what happened to him in 2008 or 2010, but the Dodgers apparently signed the 23 year old this off-season. He probably would have ranked in the 140 – 150 range.

Orlando Mercado, C, 26 years old, 5’9”, 220 lbs – Orlando Mercado was selected in the 6th round of the 2003 draft by the Diamondbacks, and he spent 7 seasons with Arizona before joining Atlanta in 2010. He is a career .258 hitter, and has spent parts of the last two seasons in AAA. His father is Orlando Mercado Sr., who was also a catcher and played 17 professional seasons, including parts of 8 seasons in the MLB. He probably would have ranked in the 130 – 140 range.

Michael Richard, SS, 26.5 years old, 5’11”, 180 lbs – Originally selected by Oakland in the 11^th round of the 2007 draft, Michael Richard was traded to the White Sox during the 2010 season. He was released after the season and recently signed by the Dodgers. He has a career .270 minor league average, a .687 OPS, and 4 total homers. Seems like he will be filling the role of a backup middle infielder for AA in 2011. He probably would have ranked in the 150 – 160 range.